NHL

The Latest: Predators take 4-1 lead over Pens in Game 3NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) The Latest on Game 3 of the Stanley Cup Final (all times local):9:28 p.m.Craig Smith has scored to make it 4-1 Predators over the Penguins in the third period of Game 3 of the Stanley...

AP Hockey WriterDesperate Capitals go back to Holtby for Game 3 vs. PenguinsBy STEPHEN WHYNODesperate times called for a players-only meeting in the Washington Capitals' locker room after they fell behind 2-0 in their second-round playoff series against the Pittsburgh Penguins.What was said? Matt Niskanen called it ''none of...

Draisaitl helps Oilers rout Ducks 7-1 to force Game 7EDMONTON, Alberta (AP) Leon Draisaitl had three goals and two assists while Mark Letestu added two goals and two assists as Edmonton cruised to a 7-1 victory over the Anaheim Ducks on Sunday night, forcing a decisive Game 7...

Ducks top goal-scorer Rickard Rakell misses Gm 5 with injuryANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) Ducks forward Rickard Rakell will miss Game 5 of the Western Conference finals with a lower-body injury, leaving Anaheim without its top regular-season goal-scorer.The Ducks announced Rakell's surprise absence during pregame warmups Saturday.Rakell had 33 goals...

Former NHL forward Olczyk diagnosed with colon cancerCHICAGO (AP) Former NHL forward and coach Eddie Olczyk has been diagnosed with colon cancer.Olczyk, who turns 51 on Aug. 16, had surgery last week, and Chicago Blackhawks team physician Dr. Michael Terry says he ''will be undergoing further treatment in...

Ottawa C Derick Brassard to have surgery for torn labrumOTTAWA, Ontario (AP) Ottawa Senators center Derick Brassard will require surgery to repair a torn labrum in his right shoulder.Ottawa general manager Pierre Dorion says in a statement Tuesday that the tear was found through tests after the Senators'...

Associated PressTop NHL draft prospect makes ceremonial pitch at WrigleyBy MATT CARLSONCHICAGO (AP) Nolan Patrick, a potential No. 1 overall pick on Friday at the NHL draft in Chicago, threw out the ceremonial first pitch at Wrigley Field before Wednesday's game between the Cubs and Padres.But the 18-year-old...

AP Hockey WriterRed Wings sign D Trevor Daley to $9.5 million, 3-year dealBy LARRY LAGEDETROIT (AP) The Detroit Red Wings didn't make the playoffs this year for the first time since 1990 for many reasons.Lackluster defense might have topped the list.Detroit tried to address that weakness in the...

Devils re-sign RFAs Mueller, Blandisi and WedgewoodNEWARK, N.J. (AP) The New Jersey Devils have re-signed restricted free agent defenseman Mirco Mueller, forward Joseph Blandisi and goaltender Scott Wedgewood.Mueller got a two-year deal worth an average of $850,000 a season, Blandisi a two-year, two-way deal worth an average of...

Oilers sign star Connor McDavid to 8-year, $100 million dealEDMONTON, Alberta (AP) The Oilers have signed star captain Connor McDavid to an eight-year, $100 million deal.McDavid led the NHL in scoring with 100 points last season, en route to winning the Hart Trophy as league MVP.''I'm so excited...

LA Kings sign D Kevin Gravel, avoiding arbitrationEL SEGUNDO, Calif. (AP) The Los Angeles Kings have re-signed Kevin Gravel to a one-year, $650,000 contract extension, avoiding arbitration with the restricted free agent defenseman.The Kings also signed restricted free agents Justin Auger, Andrew Crescenzi, Zachary Leslie and Kurtis MacDermid...

Blackhawks agree to 1-year contract with D Michal KempnyCHICAGO (AP) The Chicago Blackhawks have agreed to a one-year contract with defenseman Michal Kempny.Kempny was set to become a restricted free agent July 1. The extension runs through the 2017-18 season.The 26-year-old Kempny had two goals and six assists...